A Tyneside school is at the centre of a national row over pupil behaviour.

Two teachers from Gateshead told a teachers' conference that staff at Joseph Swan School, Low Fell, are being pressured to teach a teenager who attacked a colleague.

Brian Watchman-Atkins, from Joseph Swan, made an emotional plea to members of the NASUWT union to push the Government to force headteachers to expel violent pupils.

He explained staff have refused to teach the youngster for a year and are ready to strike if they are disciplined for their actions.

Today schools minister Stephen Twigg will try to reassure delegates at the union's annual conference the Government is tackling the problem.

Mr Watchman-Atkins, in his 50s, said: "We do not feel it would be safe to have this child back in the classroom. We are very disappointed that managers are not taking our health and safety concerns seriously.

"The incident happened a year ago and we have lived with the stress of this situation since then."

Nick Cowie, 50, a teacher at nearby Whickham Comprehensive, said: "Teachers at Joseph Swan are being asked to teach a violent pupil who has already lashed out at one member of staff. This is unreasonable and wrong."

Mr Twigg will tell the conference: "Violence and bad behaviour by pupils or parents against members of school staff will not be tolerated."

The Joseph Swan pupil was suspended for three days after twice hitting the teacher but is set to return after Easter.

The school's members of NASUWT have voted not to teach him and to walk out if headteacher Jan Day tries to discipline them.

ACAS is meeting to try to resolve the situation on April 11

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Gun offence plea

A teenager admitted pointing a fake gun at a Tyneside teacher.

William Loughran brandished the replica towards a senior member of staff at St Edmund Campion School in Wrekenton, Gateshead.

The 18-year-old produced the "BB" gun outside the open school gates while the teacher was supervising pupils at break time on June 5 last year.

Loughran - who has never been a member of the school - admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause William Penny to believe violence would be used against him.

The teenager made his admission after his legal team decided he was fit to enter a plea at Newcastle Crown Court.

No further details of the incident were given and Loughran, of Aycliffe Avenue, Springwell, Gateshead, was further remanded in custody. He made no application for bail.